Why Get Professional Help With Your Hurricane Michael Claim

It’s been almost three months since Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida panhandle. For many, this means filing claims with their property insurance carriers. People that are unfamiliar with the claim process or have never filed a hurricane damage claim before need experienced help. Read on to learn why it is essential to talk with an attorney or other qualified professional about your Hurricane Michael claim.

Get Claim Help

Insurance policies are known as being the most confusing type of contract out there. According to one survey, more than 50% of homeowners don’t fully know what they are covered for under their insurance policy. Most policies have over 20,000 words, are 40+ pages long, require a 1+ hour read time and contain language dating back to middle-English. No wonder why policyholders lack understanding of what they are covered for!

That puts homeowners at a real disadvantage when it comes to making a claim. If you don’t fully understand what your insurance covers, how can you know for sure you are getting a fair and accurate settlement? An experienced professional will not only guide you through the claim process but also prevent you from losing money in the form of unpaid coverages and underpaid damages.

Florida law prohibits insurance company adjusters from telling policyholders not to seek out the advice or services of an attorney or public adjuster. Policyholders are allowed to obtain independent advice and representation during the insurance claim process, which can be complicated and confusing.

You Have Rights

It’s important to understand the role of an insurance company adjuster in regards to your claim. An adjuster working for an insurance company works to protect the insurers’ best interests. The policyholder is at a disadvantage. In some cases, this an unfair balance of power and can lead to specific coverages not being disclosed, underpaid claims, or a wrongful claim denial. These scenarios can occur for several reasons. Sometimes it’s due to a lack of training or that the adjuster made a mistake. In other cases, the insurance company is acting in bad faith, and the goal of the decisions made on a claim is to save the insurance company money. Regardless of the reason, insurance companies who do not fully pay valid claims are in the wrong.

On the other hand, a property damage attorney represents the insured’s best interests. A skilled attorney will review policy coverage and seek the maximum allowable payment owed for damages. If an insurance company or claim adjuster advises you not to seek help from an attorney or other experienced professional, you can report this violation to the compliance department of the Department of Financial Services. Every Floridian has the right to have an experienced professional advocate on their behalf.

We’re Here To Help

If you have a claim, protect yourself and your valuable investment. Make sure your claim is fully and fairly paid. Call an attorney today, or as soon as possible to learn your rights under your policy for your hurricane claim.

At Murray + Murray, our proven Florida property insurance law attorneys are well-acquainted with the challenges insurers face in the aftermath of a severe weather event like Hurricane Matthew. We have assisted Florida Insureds with their hurricane claims since 1992. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions in coverage for clients and businesses throughout Florida and is ready to assess your post-hurricane claim today.

We can help you get the insurance coverage you are owed, that you paid for, and that you deserve. Use our online form to request a free case evaluation.